BISMARCK, N.D. — The Austin Bruins came up emtpy on their first road trip of the North American Hockey League season.
Bismarck capped a sweep of the season-opening two-game weekend series on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout.
The Bobcats (2-0) scored once in each period on Saturday, while the Bruins (0-2) put 23 shots on goal but couldn't beat Hunter Shepard.
Jared Pyke, Tyse Teague and Willie Brown scored for Bismarck. Pyke's goal came 7:35 into the game and held up as the game winner. Brown's goal in the third was an empty-netter with 1:32 remaining to play.
Austin Smith, an 18-year-old from Orland Park, Ill., had a strong NAHL debut, making 28 saves.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Bruins were led by defenseman Will Riedell and center Travis Kothenbeutel, who had five shots on goal each.
Austin must regroup quickly as it now plays four games in four days at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pa.), a team new to the league this season.
